City of Geneseo Council met November 13

The City Council of the City of Geneseo met in a City Council meeting on Tuesday November 13, 2018 at the Council Chambers, 115 South Oakwood Avenue. Mayor Kathy Carroll-Duda called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Aldermen Brett Barnhart, Bob Wachtel, Sean Johnson, Paula Simosky, James Roodhouse, Martin Rothschild, Craig Arnold and Jason Robinson were present. Others in attendance included, Administrator Lisa Kotter, City Clerk Loree K. Phlypo, City Attorney Derke Price, Director of Public Works Chad VanDeWoestyne, Director of Electrical Operations Lewis Opsal, Chief Casey Disterhoft, Inspector Rick Mills, Finance Director Jamie Matthews and HR Brandon Maeglin.

There was a quorum.

Presentation – Central Schoolhouse Bed & Breakfast

New Owners of the Late Mabel Brown home are opening up a Bed & Breakfast at that property. Council was given a history and what the future plans are for the property. Plans are to be open for business around April 2019.

Chamber of Commerce Report

Director Ludwig reported that Christmas Open House is this weekend coming up and the following weekend is Small Business Saturday. December 8 is the Christmas Walk. She also announced her resignation which will be November 30. complete list of Chamber events please go to www.geneseo.org

City Engineering Report

Morgan Mays is not with IMEG any more so Greg Ryckaert addressed the Council. He reported that Hanford Street Drainage Project is a little behind schedule due to a utility issue. Chicago Street Lift Station is moving along on schedule with a Mid- January completion date. The Hennepin Bike Path is on hold for the current route, it won’t be able to cross over at the bridge due to the bridge needing repairs. Conversations will have to be held with the DNR to find out the extent of the repairs are needed to the bridge. If it was possible for the City to complete the repairs to the bridge there could be an Intergovernmental Agreement put in place to allow this. Further conversations will have to take place. Bids have gone out for the proposed small building at the street garage, it will measure 40x56 and storm water is being reviewed for Liberty Village.

City Clerk Phlypo read the consent agenda. Mayor Carroll-Duda asked that item e be moved to unfinished business and that item b needs a correction, add “include on the consent agenda to R-18-23 and O-18-17 and the Special City Council minutes with consideration of the Inspectors vehicle, needs to read Arnold as a Nay vote.

Motion by Barnhart, second by Robinson to approve the Consent Agenda with the moving of item e to unfinished business and the correction to minutes noted.

Mayor Carroll-Duda asked for clarification as to whose responsibility it is to make any repairs that are discovered, the owner or the renter. City Attorney Price stated that is between the two parties to decide who makes those repairs. He stated that the current ordinance is overreaching so an inspection before you can get utilities is a way for the City to be able to check for cross connections and meters that may be tampered with. Verbiage could be added that the owner is responsible if Council would like it added.

Motion by Barnhart, second by Johnson to adopt Ordinance O-18-17 An Ordinance Amending Section 151.06 Concerning Building Code.

Consideration of Ordinance O-18-16 An Ordinance Amending Section 90.21 Concerning City Parks and other Public Places.

A complaint was made by a resident about dogs running at Richmond Hill Park unleashed. The ordinance currently allows dogs in the park unleashed in the signed area. The signs have never been put up so dog owners have been directed to the west end of the park. The Council can choose to keep the ordinance as is and post signs or prohibit dogs not leashed in the park. Discussion was held on eliminating the “not to exceed 10 feet on the leash length.

Motion by Roodhouse, second by Robinson to strike the following out of Ordinance O-18-16 “not to exceed 10 feet”.

Further discussion was held on allowing or prohibiting unleashed dogs in Richmond Hill Park. Mayor Carroll-Duda reported that she has never had a problem with unleashed dogs and Alderman Barnhart reported that he spoke to another resident at Richmond Hill and they said that if it’s allowed and signs are posted then they don’t have a problem with it either.

Motion by Rothschild, second by Wachtel to approve Ordinance O-18-16 which shall no longer allow unleashed animals in the Richmond Hill Park with the amendment.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES: 4 Simosky, Rothschild, Wachtel, Roodhouse

NAYS: 4 Arnold, Barnhart, Robinson, Johnson

ABSTAIN: 0

ABSENT: 0

Mayor Carroll-Duda made the tie breaking vote, she abstained.

Motion Failed

Discussion was held on where the staff should place the signs designating the unleashed dog area.

Motion by Roodhouse, second by Johnson to direct staff to erect signs at the west end beyond the soccer fields right before the circle drive.

Date to be corrected on Resolution. This is to declare the Tax Levy amount and the Truth in Taxation Hearing to be scheduled for December 11, 2018 at the beginning of the City Council Meeting. Truth in Taxation Hearing’s are held in the event that the tax rate increase is over 4.99%, the rate proposed is 9.99%.

Motion by Rothschild, second by Barnhart to adopt Resolution R-18-28 A Resolution Declaring the 2019 Tax Levy.

This is on the agenda for Council to take formal action to cancel the Committee of the Whole meeting in December due to Holidays. Without a Committee of the Whole meeting in December the City Council meeting in January will be light and if there is anything that needs further discussion then it can be carried over to the next meeting.

Motion by Arnold, second by Wachtel to cancel the regularly scheduled December 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Voice Vote.

8 Ayes.

0 Nays.

Motion Carried.

Payment of City and Utility Bills

There were additional bills handed out.

Motion by Wachtel, second by Arnold to approve the bills as presented.